Howard Bancorp, Inc. Reports Increases in Assets, Loans, Capital and Earnings for 2012

ELLICOTT CITY, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Howard Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBMD), the parent company of Howard Bank, today reported its financial results for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012 with the following highlights:

Company Release - 01/17/2013 16:05

ELLICOTT CITY, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Howard Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBMD), the parent company of Howard Bank, today reported its financial results for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012 with the following highlights:

·       Successfully raised gross proceeds of $10.2 million in a common stock offering which closed in third quarter of 2012.

·       The opening of our fifth full service branch location in Annapolis, MD

·       Shares of common stock began trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market

·       Total assets grew to $402 million at December 31, 2012, representing growth of $79 million or 24% over same period of 2011.

·       Total loans increased by nearly $46 million or 17%, to $322 million, when comparing year end 2012 to the end of 2011.

·       December 31, 2012 deposits increased to $315 million from $263 million, representing growth of over $52 million or 20%, of which noninterest bearing deposits grew by over $34 million or 55% for the year.

·       Net income for 2012 was $1.62 million, which compared to $1.38 million for 2011, reflecting net income growth of 17%.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the company reported net income of $1.62 million compared to net income of $1.38 million in 2011, an improvement of $236 thousand or 17%. Net interest income was $13.5 million for 2012 which represented an increase of $0.9 million or 7% compared to 2011, and was driven by our continued balance sheet growth. In addition to the increase in net interest income, the provision for loan losses in 2012 of $0.7 million was 38% less than the 2011 provision of $1.2 million. Noninterest revenues of $0.8 million for 2012 decreased by $369 thousand or 32% compared to $1.1 million in 2011, as 2011 included gains on sales of OREO of $459 thousand, while 2012 included a loss on OREO sales of $131 thousand. Total noninterest expenses for 2012 of $10.8 million increased by $0.7 million or 7% over total expenses of $10.1 million in 2011. Compensation expenses increased by $1.1 million or 21% for 2012 versus 2011 due to increases in staffing as we continue to open new locations, as well as increases in benefit expenses, primarily from increasing costs of providing medical insurance. Partially offsetting this compensation increase was a reduction in the expense of valuation adjustments on OREO properties. In 2011, the Company recorded $777 thousand in expense due to decreasing valuations on properties held, while this same expense for 2012 was only $48 thousand, representing a year over year reduction of $729 thousand.

As mentioned above, 2012 represented a year of continued balance sheet growth with December 31, 2012 total assets of $402 million, total loans of $322 million, and total deposits of $315 million, representing growth of 24%, 17%, and 20%, respectively, over the 2011 year end balances. Included in the $315 million of total deposits at year end 2012 were non-interest bearing balances of $96.0 million, which increased by $33.8 million or 55%, compared to non-interest balances of $62.0 million at the end of 2011. This growth in operating accounts reflects significant customer acquisition as well as increased balances from existing customers. In addition to the deposit growth realized in 2012, total borrowings for 2012 versus 2011, which include both customer repurchase agreements and FHLB borrowings increased by $10 million and $6 million, respectively.

At December 31, 2012 Howard Bancorp, Inc. had total capital of $46.7 million representing an increase of $10.1 million or 28% over total capital of $36.6 million at December 31, 2011. The majority of the increase in capital resulted from the gross proceeds of $10.2 million in a common stock offering which closed in the third quarter of 2012. The remainder of the capital growth represents retention of the previous four quarters of earnings. Howard Bank continues to be well in excess of the required capital levels to be considered well-capitalized under all regulatory capital guidelines.

For the fourth quarter of 2012, Howard Bancorp recorded net income of $439 thousand, which compares to net income of $353 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2011, representing an increase of 24% and net income of $387 thousand for the third quarter of 2012. Comparing the fourth quarter of 2012 to the same quarter in 2011 net interest income increased by $270 thousand or 8%, the provision for loan losses decreased by $355 thousand and total expenses were up by $178 thousand or 6%.

Asset quality for Howard Bank continued to be a major focus of attention for management and the board of directors throughout 2012. One of the Banks primary measures of asset quality is the ratio of non-accrual loans and OREO as a percentage of total assets. This asset quality measure showed improvement for 2012 with a ratio of 1.32% as of December 31, 2012 versus 2.32% at the end of 2011.

Chairman and CEO Mary Ann Scully stated: We are pleased to report another year of increased earnings driven by core revenue growth as well as improvement in asset quality. We believe that the nature of the revenue growth positions the Company well for any uptick in economic conditions in 2013 as it shows a consistent ability to grow loans and deposits even in difficult markets. We have also been able to generate earnings increases while continuing our investment in our targeted markets with a new branch opened in Annapolis in 2012 and expectations of a new branch in Baltimore County in 2013. In addition to solid performance, we are delighted to enter 2013 with additional capital ready to support organic and acquired growth and as an SEC registrant trading on NASDAQ. Each year has presented us with new opportunities and new vistas for growth and we expect 2013 to be another year of greater returns.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking, as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 or the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations, and releases. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors, including but not limited to real estate values, local and national economic conditions, and the impact of interest rates on financing. Accordingly, actual results may differ from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, and the making of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that results expressed therein will be achieved. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Additional information is available at www.howardbank.com.

Howard Bancorp, Inc.
George C. Coffman, Chief Financial Officer, 410-750-0020

Source: Howard Bancorp, Inc.

Howard Bank is a growth-focused community bank serving businesses, professionals and individuals in the Greater Baltimore area. As of June 30, 2012, Howard Bank, headquartered in Ellicott City, MD had $356 million in assets and five full service branches and a regional office. Howard Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Howard Bancorp (NASDAQ: HBMD). For information, call 410-750-0020 or visit www.howardbank.com

Source: Howard Bancorp, Inc.